Love Me or Leave Me – A Tribute to Nina Simone returns once again after TWO previously SOLD-OUT Shows (2023).
A musical exploration with interwoven heartfelt stories of the life, loves and passions of the legendary Nina Simone. Christine Manetta’s own distinctive style is passionately driven towards political, activist art, as she beautifully portrays Nina Simone’s songs giving them
a spin of her own; while encompassing the musical truth of each songs story she exposes the human spirit. Accompanied by Musical Director Adam Rudegeair, they pay homage to Nina, focusing on the Jazz and Blues Elements of Simone’s work,
Tribal Gospel Beginnings and Cabaret Jazz to Activist Anthems and 60’s Flower Power Hippie Songs. Including songs such as I Put a Spell on You, Feelin Good, Sinnerman, Ain’t Got No-I Got Life and My Baby Just Cares for Me.
Christine Manetta – Vocals/Narration. Melbourne based Vocalist, known for her extensive work in Urban Jazz & Blues with notable appearances in Festivals: Docklands, Castlemaine, Merimbula and Port Fairy. Guest Presenter on ABC Radio (Nina Simone Tribute Programs) and celebrated Songwriter, Multi-Award-Winning Debut Album ‘One Woman One Day’-Australian Songwriters Association (AUS), Global Music Awards (USA), Europe Music Video Awards (SLK) and Rome Music Video Awards (ITA) to name a few.
Adam Rudegeair – Piano. A prolific composer, performer, and educator based in Melbourne. His music is rooted in jazz and funk, with significant influences from the sounds of New Orleans, Minneapolis, and avant-garde groove musicians such as Sun Ra and Medeski Martin & Wood. Adam’s current projects include Lake Minnetonka, The Bowie Project, and the ongoing collaboration with jazz legend Bob Sedergreen ‘Bourbon Street to Brunswick Street’.
Stephen Caruana – Drums/Percussion. Originally from Brisbane having achieved his Bachelor of Music – Specialised Performance from the Queensland Conservatory and Masters of Music-Latin Drumming & Percussion study, at the Rotterdams Conservatory (Codarts) The Netherlands. Stephen has performed throughout Australia and internationally with performances spread throughout Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland.
Ivan Rosa – Double/Electric Bass. Performing as part of the Melbourne Jazz scene for the last three decades, Ivan has worked with many prominent musicians including Bob Sedergreen, Alan Lee, Lachlan Davidson, The Romans and the Orlando Combo.
Ivan has a wealth of experience and is known for his sense of groove and inventive solos.
